[ETexas335]

What does he charge?

Originally Posted by georgelb

I had mine done yesterday, with walnut media. I'm not sure what grain he used, but it was done by Thread Killer here on the boards, so you could message him and ask. The before picture is at 83k miles with no prior cleaning, aside from about 3 cans of sea foam.

When I took it in the idle was pretty bumpy; and now it is just stupid solid...you can't even really tell the car is running.

Here's a couple of pictures he shot for me (click for full-size.)

[2turbodinan]

Originally Posted by Juiced46

For $215, they arent removing the intake and walnut blasting for sure.

I asked sa at Crevier and he told me its just. Helical treatment. I need to get this done I am waiting for the DIY or I will just pay to get it done. What's the cheapest anyone has gotten this done in so. Cal?

[2turbodinan]

Originally Posted by E9TWO

I used carburator cleaner and brake cleaner let them soak in the carburator cleaner like 30-60min depending on the severity then used gun cleaning brushes I got at Walmart sprayed some brake cleaner while scrubbing bent the brushes to get the backs they came out squeaky clean and they were full of gunk. It took long time from just letting the chemicals sit. IMHO i dont see the need to walnut blast but it would have probably been easier and faster. I thought it was a fairly easy process to DIY, Downpipes were 1000% worse to DIY.

Did you find a DIY somewhere? How were the downpipes that much that much harder? I was thinking about doing this myself too? Very encouraging guys ...

[georgelb]

Originally Posted by ETexas335

What does he charge?

It was $500 out the door; he is up here all week doing a group buy and it looks like he might have a vacancy tomorrow if you're interested, as several people flaked out. He is doing it out of Import Car Center in Grapevine. Here's the thread from Southwest: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665170

[smellfish]

Originally Posted by georgelb

I had mine done yesterday, with walnut media. I'm not sure what grain he used, but it was done by Thread Killer here on the boards, so you could message him and ask. The before picture is at 83k miles with no prior cleaning, aside from about 3 cans of sea foam.

When I took it in the idle was pretty bumpy; and now it is just stupid solid...you can't even really tell the car is running.

Here's a couple of pictures he shot for me (click for full-size.)

I definitely need to get this done. Same idle problems just shy of 80k.

[Juiced46]

Originally Posted by smellfish

How about 78k with no prior cleaning and nearly 10k miles of running M1?

There will be alot of build up for sure.

The chemical cleaning procedure like E9TWO mentioned is very effective as well. You will get the same results, its just way more time consuming to let the chemical soak vs blasting. I have done it both ways, it comes out identical. If anyone in the CT area needs this done PM me.

[Blue Streak]

I searched and found this coupon for a dealership/service center near me in north county San Diego. It is for $179 (+tax) valve cleaning. I assumed it was walnut shell blasting. Unfortunately it expired 1/31/2011. I remember being at that BMW service center for an oil change last September and they said they offered "walnut shell" intake cleaning for something like $799. I laughed and said that was crazy. I was just hoping for a special like this to come around again... otherwise I wouldn't mind just doing it myself at home in my garage with some chemicals, copper gun brushes, a drill and lots of towels.

Either way, I'm at over 61k miles and the engine feels hesitant and not smooth at all. Once it gets going above 4k rpm it really goes, but it doesn't feel like it used to. I've been using an E85 fuel mix and from what I've read, it can make matters worse for gumming up the intake valves. I bet my intercooler could use a good cleaning too... it's probably full of sludge.